Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-10-26
DAko1A's INSANE ksYluMs,
Description Of the Hospital at
Jamestown-A Model In.
stitution.
One OF the Severest Storms Ever
Known-various Interesting
Items.

The people OF Dakota Eay well feel
proud Of their asylums for the insane and
the very creditabls manner in which they
are conducted. There are two hospitals Of
this nature, one at Yankton and the other
at Jamestown, in the northern part Of the
territory. This 10 truly modern and
model institution, built and conducted up.
on scientific and humane principles. Da-
kota. only few years ago wild and sup
posed inhospitable region, is to-day the
home OF large and prosperous population,
active, eager and enterprisinS, and in edu-
cational and philanthropic work far in
advance Of older communities. The terri
tory ID larger than III Of New England, and
Where now are sparoely settled homes, the
coming years shall see
As g. and state - worlds have known, in
this ono soon TO ba
The jamestown hospital il built on the
cottage plan, each department having sep
arate buildings, . desirable feature in
case Of fire or contagious disease. In
their construction jealous care has been
exercised to introduce whatever improve
ments have been fairly tested in both Eu-
rope and America. In heating, ventila-
ton, light, drainage and water privileges,
easy access and convenient arrangement
OF rooms, nothing seems to have been
overlooked, which with the uniform taste
in architecture and the substantial charac-
ter of the buildings, all combine to make
1t model institution. A noticeable fea-
ture is that there are no iron bars or CRATES
across the windows, and no appearance
anywhere Of restraint or prison life usu-
sually seen about most hospitals. In the
wards are all the comforts and surround
ings OF home, carp,ts, curtains, pictures,
musical instruments, easy chairs and news
papers, books, lounges, garaes, like chess
and checkers. with those of more
active character on the outside. An
amusement hall, with stage and
scenery is provided where dances, parties
and entertainments are eiven, with billiard
room and gymne sium below. Every de-
srable measure 10 used 10 divert the
mind and recall it from the trains Of
thought to which it is accustomed to re-
vert. The percentage Of recoveries among
recent cases under this pratical. humane
and homelike treatment 10 large, and even
among those deemed incurAble there are
mauy instances of recovery by stimulus
10 action and thought thus induced. Much
work, in and out of doors, is done by
patients. The farm and gardens, yield
ing great variety of products were titled
by crazy men. The flower and vegetable
garden were the delight and
surprise this fall of all WIS.,
itors, and it is doubtful il there
was q finer or larger collection of flowers
In the territory. For months before the
recent frosts the wards overfowed with
boquets, and patients We'd with attendants
in beautifying their apartments th these
blessings Of nature, which up in that clear
northern air blended in sweet union the
brightest colors and richest fragrances. A
conservatory is to be added in which how-
ers can be grown all the year.
The institution is now in the third year
Of its existence, and has cared for nearly
800 patients, half Of whom have been 70.
turned to home, friends and reason. d..
o. w. Archibald, we'll known among be-
nevolent workers as the founder Of the Iowa
institution for feeble- minded children, is
superintendent. and has gathered around
him an efficient and faithful corps Of as
sistants.